This first of its kind addition to large square baler operations adds fully automatic adjustments and hands-free baling to maximise feed quality
Farmers in the northern hemisphere will be first to benefit from the next wave of hands-free advanced baling coming to large square baling in 2024 through Case IH Baler Automation.
Regardless of operator experience, large square baler automation from Case IH is able to maximise throughput and deliver consistent, high-quality bales, adding effective hands-free efficiency for the first time
The dealer-installed automation kit connects seamlessly with Class 3 ISOBUS Puma, Optum and Magnum tractors.
“Productivity is the name of the game when it comes to the tight operating windows hay producers face,” says Brian Spencer, hay and forage marketing manager at Case IH USA.
“Baler automation is the perfect example of purposeful technology from Case IH. It aims to tackle efficiencies by taking the duty off the operator to steer and make adjustments in-paddock, allowing them to add productivity while in the cab,” Brian Spencer outlines.
Case IH Baler Automation is the industry’s first LiDAR (light detection and ranging) baling system, opening unprecedented opportunities for hay producers in efficiency and productivity.
The LiDAR-based swath analysis sends out laser pulses to measure the position and size of the windrows. The technology adjusts the speed and steering of the tractor to maximise throughput without overloading the baler, resulting in increased runtime compared to traditional baling.
With the automatic adjustments and hands-free baling, producers can put less experienced operators in the cab, or spend their time in the cab running farm operations or focusing on other business.
“This technology is built for the unpredictable yet expected challenges in baling with crooked windrows, and inconsistent widths and heights,” adds Brian Spencer. “The automatic adjustments in steering and speed ensure the bales are consistent and the baler is running at peak performance, avoiding blockages and overfilling.”
Case IH precision technology through AFS Connect also ensures that tracking and monitoring are happening during the baling process. Hay producers can remotely monitor field performance and tractor diagnostics during baling while securing records for review after harvest.
Baler Automation is being launched in 2024 in the northern hemisphere and is compatible with HD models from Model Year 2020 to 2024, and XL models from Model Year 2022 to 2024.
Case IH will be offering an extended range of hay-system solutions in 2024, from advanced equipment to a recently introduced app that streamlines invoicing processes for custom hay producers.
To learn more about the advanced LiDAR-based bale automation solution from Case IH, see more on this link.
